Fighter Pilot Breaks Down Every Fighter Jet From Top Gun: Maverick | WIRED

Summary

Matthew Buckley, a former fighter pilot, reviews the fighter jets featured in 'Top Gun: Maverick'. He discusses the F-14 Tomcat, F/A-18 Hornet, P-51 Mustang, F-35 Lightning, and SU-57 Felon, highlighting their capabilities and roles. Buckley also shares his personal experiences and insights on the thrill and challenges of flying these aircraft.

Takeaways

• 🎬 Matthew Buckley introduces himself as a fighter pilot and discusses the impact of the original 'Top Gun' movie on his career.
• 🐱 The F-14 Tomcat is described as a large, maneuverable aircraft with significant firepower, primarily used for fleet air defense.
• 🔍 The F-14 Tomcat was a prominent fighter in the 1980s, equipped with various missiles like Sidewinder, Sparrow, and Phoenix.
• 🌐 Iran is noted as the only nation still flying the F-14 Tomcat, highlighting its enduring capabilities despite its age.
• 🐝 The F/A-18 Hornet is praised for its versatility as a multi-role fighter attack aircraft, capable of various missions and weapon loads.
• 🌪️ The film 'Top Gun: Maverick' is commended for its realistic and thrilling aviation scenes that capture the intensity of flying these aircraft.
• 💪 The physical demands of flying low and fast in an F-18 are highlighted, emphasizing the need for exceptional pilot skill and awareness.
• 🔥 The P-51 Mustang is mentioned as a WWII aircraft with a storied history, capable of both escort and ground attack missions.
• 🚀 The F-35 Lightning II is described as a fifth-generation aircraft with advanced stealth, electronic warfare, and multi-role capabilities.
• 🔧 The SU-57 Felon is compared to the F-35, noting its similar capabilities and the unique feature of being able to counter infrared missiles.
• 🌌 The Dark Star, a fictional aircraft in 'Top Gun: Maverick', is speculated to be based on real advanced technology, possibly developed in secret.

Q & A

Who is Matthew Buckley and what is his call sign?

Matthew Buckley is a fighter pilot, and his call sign is Whiz.

What was Matthew Buckley's experience with the first 'Top Gun' movie?

Matthew Buckley saw the first 'Top Gun' movie in 1986. He humorously described it as one of the worst things that ever happened to him because it made everyone want to be a Navy fighter pilot, which increased the competition and required him to study and try harder.

What are the main features of the F-14 Tomcat?

The F-14 Tomcat is characterized by its large size, big radar in the front, and massive missiles. It was equipped with a Sidewinder (heat-seeking missile), Sparrow (radar missile), and the Phoenix missile, which could shoot over a hundred miles down range. Its primary mission was fleet air defense.

Why was the F-14 Tomcat considered a 'bullet sponge'?

The term 'bullet sponge' was used to describe the F-14 Tomcat because it was challenging to get airborne, especially in foreign countries without the same spare parts or maintenance support. It was also less maneuverable compared to other aircraft.

Which nation still flies the F-14 Tomcat today?

Iran is the only nation that still flies the F-14 Tomcat today.

What is the significance of the F/A-18 Hornet in the script?

The F/A-18 Hornet is highlighted as the first multi-role, fighter attack aircraft. It is a single-seat, twin-engine aircraft capable of flying up to Mach 1.7 or 1.8 and can carry a variety of weapons, including air-to-air and GPS-guided weapons. It can also serve as a tanker aircraft.

How did the filmmakers of 'Top Gun: Maverick' handle the aviation scenes?

The filmmakers of 'Top Gun: Maverick' did an incredible job with the aviation scenes, making them so realistic that they made Matthew Buckley feel as if he was actually in the aircraft.

What is G-LOC and how does it affect pilots?

G-LOC, or G-induced Loss of Consciousness, occurs when pilots pull multiple Gs, causing blood to leave their heads and potentially leading to loss of consciousness. Pilots must squeeze their legs and abs to try and maintain consciousness.

What is the Ground Collision Avoidance system and how does it work?

The Ground Collision Avoidance system is a safety feature in modern aircraft that warns pilots if they are about to crash. It will alert the pilot to pull up and, if they do not respond due to being unconscious, the aircraft will automatically level out and climb away from danger.

What are the capabilities of the F-35 Lightning II?

The F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation aircraft with capabilities including electronic warfare to jam enemy radar and communications, air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities, and stealth features. It can fly at about Mach 1.6 and has internalized weapons to maintain its stealth profile.

What is the SU-57 Felon and how does it compare to the F-35?

The SU-57 Felon is a Russian aircraft that is essentially a copy of the F-35, with similar weapon systems and electronic warfare capabilities. It also has the unique ability to detect and shoot down infrared missiles using its DIRCM (Direct Infrared Countermeasures) system.

What is the significance of the Dark Star aircraft in 'Top Gun: Maverick'?

The Dark Star aircraft in 'Top Gun: Maverick' is a fictional aircraft that might be based on real-life projects developed in the Skunk Works. It is depicted as a high-altitude, stealthy aircraft capable of reconnaissance and hyper cruising.